Cocoa Nibs

June 19, 2008 /

When cocoa beans are removed from their pods, fermented, dried, roasted, and cracked open with shells discarded, what results are called nibs. Cocoa nibs (also called “cacao nibs”) are the purest form of chocolate available. They add subtle, crunchy chocolate flavor to baked goods without adding sweetness; they can also be used in some savory dishes. You can buy cocoa nibs in bits from high-quality chocolate producers like Scharffen Berger.

Most nibs are ground into a paste called chocolate liquor, which is used to make chocolate.